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Ch 10-
"Ouch."
"Quit being a baby, Cohen," Summer frowned at him from the next cot over.
"I don't like needles."
"Neither does Taylor but you don't see her whining."
"Taylor gives blood every time she goes out on ...her motorcycle."
"Wimp," Summer muttered. "How's Chino?"
Seth craned his neck and tried to peer over the divider to the other row of cots.
"I think he's sleeping."
"Seriously? You sure he didn't just faint from blood loss?"
"I'm the fainter."
"You're also the whiner," Taylor said as she walked up and stood next to Summer. "Is he being difficult?"
"No, he's just giving me a headache." Ryan muttered from Seth's other side.
"Poor baby," Taylor said as she walked over and stood behind Ryan's bed. She tucked her hair behind her ears and gave him an upside down kiss.
"Hey."
"I can hear you smirking over there, dude."
"Leave them alone, Cohen."
"Feel better?"
"Maybe."
"I am not asking you what I can do to make you feel totally better because I have the feeling that you'd ask me to get in bed with you."
"Now there's an idea."
"School property and a lot of other people around," she reminded him.
"How about another kiss?"
Taylor shrugged and came around to his side to kiss him again. She felt him smile against her lips as a hand tangled itself in her hair.
"Do you two have to do that right now," Seth said from behind them. "I thought we were supposed to be talking about the potential for slaying tonight."
"Like they don't already know what's going on." Summer took a seat at the end of the cot, causing Ryan to shift his feet out of the way.
"Can we leave the kids at home next time," he whispered in Taylor's ear.
"There's a distinct possibility," she whispered back. "But Seth is right. Our undead buddies have a sixth sense for stuff like this."
"They don't need a sixth sense. The social committee's been putting up flyers for weeks. 'Blood drive' equals vamp meals on wheels."
"Remind me again why I don't quit that ridiculous club?"
"Something about keeping your mother off your back and not letting a certain blonde get the better of you."
"You should watch your back next meeting, Taylor. Coop's still pissed you won the last prize you two were competing for."
"Hey! I resent that. I'm not a kewpie doll."
"No more like an anatomically correct Ken doll," Taylor teased.
"You gonna be my Barbie?"
Taylor looked down at herself and then back at Ryan, "I don't think I can. Her parts are a little bigger than mine."
"Hers are plastic. I prefer the real thing."
"Ew. You two are disgusting."
"I'll second that."
"We are definitely leaving them home next time," Taylor whispered in Ryan's ear.
"Sounds like a plan."
A nurse came over to disconnect Ryan, advise him about the side-effects of donating, and to thank him for his contribution. The four friends left the converted gym with sugar cookies and orange juice in hand.
"So, now that we've seen the inside story on the blood drive's security, what's the plan?"
"Wait till dusk, stake the place, and then stake the bozos that show up."
"Cool, cool."
"Am I coming with you this time?"
"Why wouldn't you be?"
"Mom keeps grounding him."
"What'd you do?"
"Nothing."
"I think she's trying to figure out where his strength comes from."
"Tell her it's steroids."
"Oh yeah there's a good idea," Taylor rolled her eyes at Summer's suggestion. "Then instead of grounding him, she can check him into a rehab center."
"It was a joke."
"Maybe you're a cursed Slayer."
"He's a boy, Cohen."
"I did say 'cursed'."
"Ew."
"Never bring that theory up again." Ryan muttered, glaring sideways at his friend.
Taylor sighed as they approached the room that afternoon's social committee meeting was being held in. "I don't wanna go," she whined.
"I'll protect you," Summer promised. "Marissa says one word and I promise she'll leave the room bloody."
"I got a better way to keep her quiet."
Ryan stepped into the doorway, tugging on Taylor's hand so that they were both fully visible to the room's occupants when he tangled his fingers in her hair and kissed her full on the mouth.
Whistles and catcalls echoed throughout the room as Taylor hooked her hands on Ryan's shoulders, tilting her head and opening her mouth letting Ryan's tongue in and sliding her own out.
When they pulled apart, Ryan tapped her nose, "See you later?"
"Absolutely."
--xxx--
"Behind you," Kirsten commented, spraying a vampire who wandered too close to her with holy water.
Ryan ducked, throwing his elbow back to catch the attacking vampire in the stomach. The demon snarled, grabbing him around the throat with both hands. He reached up and took hold of its wrists, snapping both forearms. Ignoring the screams of pain, he pulled a stake out of his belt and spun around, stabbing the distracted vampire in the heart.
He turned around to see Kirsten's impressed face, "That was very well done. You're going to be as good as Taylor is once you get in some more practice and learn a little more control. Have you ever considered T'ai Chi?"
"Taylor gave me a beginner's book this morning," Ryan admitted.
"She says it helps her fluidity of movement."
Ryan pictured Taylor walking and nodded, "It doesn't hurt."
The last vampire recovered from his holy-water scalding, noticed that he was alone, and turned around to run for it.
"You're not gonna chase him?"
"Nah." Ryan took a strange grip on the stake and threw it like a very short spear, or a heavy dart. There was a thunk as the wood impacted into the vampire, piercing its heart from the back.
"Nice."
"Yeah. Turns out hanging out in bars with Trey and "Turo comes in handy."
"Darts?"
"Yeah. And pool."
"I'll have to remember to dig out my father's old table one of these days. You could wipe the table with Sandy and Seth to get back at them for beating you at all those video games."
Ryan smiled before he looked at his watch, "What time are we supposed to meet Sandy?"
She looked at her own watch. "Soon. We better go."
--xxxx--
Taylor landed on her back but before the vampire had a chance to land on her she put her feet up connecting with his stomach launching him backwards towards the stake Summer was holding.
The vampire went poof and Summer was covered in dust.
"Oh yuck, I need a shower."
"Uhm, little help here," Seth pleaded, holding two vamps at bay with a cross and a star of David, respectively.
Taylor took her spray bottle full of holy water while Summer took a can of hairspray and a lighter. Both girls sprayed at the vampires. Taylor's grabbed the back of his head and Summer's looked annoyed until Summer lit his hair on fire.
"Bitch!" The one with the holy-water shampoo recovered first, grabbing at Taylor, who dodged his blistered grip easily, plunging her stake into his heart.
The other had run when his hair lit up, stumbling around as he tried to put out the flames on his head. He was so distracted that Seth was able to shove a stake into his chest. Not, unfortunately, deep enough to pierce the heart.
"Uhm..."
"I got it, Cohen." Summer slammed her palm into the end of the stake, driving it the rest of the way in.
"You know Summer if you ever learned to control those rage blackouts of yours you might just be a lethal weapon," Taylor said as she moved her shoulder and winced.
"You okay?"
"Yeah I just landed wrong before."
"Help!"
"Where did that come from," Seth looked around.
"There," Summer pointed at a girl running over by the gym.
"Take it easy, you're okay."
"There's...creepy guys...they've got...my friends..."
"Okay. You go home," Taylor said. "Go straight home, lock your door, take a shower, and go to sleep. Tomorrow morning this will just be a bad dream."
The girl nodded, "Okay."
"Let's get these creeps." Summer grabbed up a cross and twirled her stake, taking off at a run in the direction the girl had come from.
"Summer, wait!" Seth charged off after her.
"Caught up in the rush," Taylor sighed, making sure to pick up the rest of the stakes before following her friends. "Ryan's right, they're like a couple of kids."
And that scared her more than she was willing to admit most days. Seth was her best friend and she loved him. She did not want to lose him to something that went bump in the night and she didn't want to watch him lose the girl he loved after he'd finally gotten her.
She came up behind her friends who were staring at the scene in front of them in sick fascination.
The vampires who'd decided to attack the group taking the blood to the hospital had knocked out the friends and gone to work on the recently collected packets of blood.
"There's a lot of them," Summer whispered, frightened.
"First thing: get the civilians out of there."
"We're on it," Seth nudged his light-o-life.
"Can I borrow your hair spray?"
"Sure," Summer tossed her the can. "Gonna light 'em up?"
"Something like that."
Taylor ran into the field, when she got close enough, she started spraying, lighter held just in front and below the spray.
Instant flamethrower.
She tossed it towards the three that were standing closest together, lighting them all up. They ran around as the fire spread over their bodies.
"Guess they've never heard of stop, drop, and roll," Taylor murmured as they disintegrated into dust.
She turned to choose her next target but he chose her, tackling her to the ground and scratching her.
"Ow," she said before raising her knee in swift upward manner, causing her enemy to roll off of her in pain. "Never fails." She was about to stake him when someone shrieked. She looked over and saw one of the hostages being held as a shield. The others were gone but obviously this one had been a straggler as was the vampire holding him.
"Such a pretty neck."
"You guys need some new lines."
"Seth, no pissing off the vampire," Summer scolded. "It's gonna be okay."
"Liar," the vampire hissed.
"Let him go and you walk out of here in one piece," Taylor said.
"Why should I believe you? You're a Slayer."
"And you're a blood-sucking loser."
"Cohen, hush."
"You have something we want and we have something you want."
"And what do you have that I want?"
"We hold your unlife in our hands. If you kill that boy there's not going to be any place for you to hide. We have global connections. You're going to be the most hunted vampire since Dracula."
"Dracula lasted centuries with people hunting him."
"And not even a week after meeting a Slayer."
"You want this one's life?" The vamp threw to boy at her, the weight bowling her over. "Take it. We can get him later." His buddy scrambled to his feet and they took off.
"Funny, that's just what I was thinking about him."
Beep-beep!
"What the," Taylor looked at Seth.
"Sorry. That was our final warning. We have to get out of here and go change."
"Newport Group Christmas party," Taylor sighed. She turned to say something to the boy who had scrambled away from her and was greeted with space. "You're welcome."
--xxxx--
"...and you're sure this is the Slayer's blood?"
"Of course," the girl smiled at the bag full of money and drugs. "The packets were clearly labeled."
"Good work." He looked over the other packets curiously, "What are these?"
"Her friends," She zipped the bag closed and slung it over her shoulder. "Call it a bonus."
"Well done."
"Anytime."
--xxx--
"Hey," Ryan hugged his girlfriend. "I was starting to worry about you."
"I can handle myself." Taylor hugged him back. "No problems at all."
"Sorry I missed it."
"What no action on your- ah watch where you touch. I got scratched."
"Where," Ryan dropped his hands to his sides to try and see where she'd been hurt. "Has Kirsten checked it out yet?"
"On my shoulder, Worry Wart. Seth used antibacterial stuff on it and then bandaged it up. It's just a garden variety scratch. I'm fine, okay? Don't worry about me. I-"
"Can take care of myself," Ryan finished for her. "I know but I'm allowed to worry."
"Just so long as you don't go overboard with it."
"I'll try." He passed gentle fingers up her arms to pull her close again. "Does it hurt?"
"Not really."
"Oh."
"You sound disappointed."
"I was gonna offer to kiss it better."
"A kiss is always welcome and very appreciated," she smiled at him.
He smiled back, leaning in, dodging her lips at the last minute to kiss her neck where it met her shoulder instead. She shivered, enjoying the sensation and tilting her head so he could repeat the action on the other side.
"I think this is the first party I've ever enjoyed," she whispered.
"Best party ever," he murmured into her hair, closing his eyes as he breathed her in. Trailing kisses along her jaw, he was just about to claim her lips when they were interrupted.
"Mistletoe," Marissa stepped around into their corner, holding the clipping over her head, eyes glazed from more than eggnog.
"Thanks Marissa," Taylor said grabbing it from the blonde and holding it over Ryan's head. "Not that I need an excuse to kiss my date, but it's always nice to have one." She turned to Ryan, "Now where we?"
"Right about here," he smiled as she kissed him.
"Slut," Marissa yelled, yanking at Taylor's arm.
"Ow." Trust the girl to grab at the injured shoulder, she thought.
"Watch it, Cooper." Ryan warned, putting himself squarely between the two.
"How can you do this to me?" He rolled his eyes at her dramatics, tensing when he realized her loud voice was drawing attention from the rest of the party. "After all we've meant to each other?"
"Marissa, we've never meant anything to each other. You're the one who seems to think we were made for each other and I gotta tell you, you're very much alone in that belief."
"You saved my life!"
"Yes, he did. But since we're not in ancient China, that doesn't obligate him to look after you for the rest of his life."
"Shut up, Dorksend. You're such a freak, what do you know about anything."
"I know better than to try and force someone to like me."
"And at least she's not a drunk."
"I'm not..."
"You've got a problem, Marissa. Do yourself and everyone else a favor - get help."
Marissa's eyes filled with angry tears as she looked around her before she turned and all but ran from the room.
Ryan and Taylor looked at each other.
"Are you okay," came from the other's mouth at the same time.
Taylor giggled and Ryan ducked his head over a grin. The crowd that had gathered wandered away; deprived of their entertainment.
"Hope she's not driving." Summer commented, Seth trailing in her wake as she walked up to them.
"I'm sure someone will stop her before she gets behind the wheel. Half the club saw how bombed she was."
"How long have you lived here, Seth? No one cares."
"Her mother does," Ryan tilted his head to where the two women were arguing near the door.
"With all her faults, Julie's still a good mother," Taylor commented. "I think that's the only thing I've ever envied Marissa for. Julie actually cares."
Ryan put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed briefly.
Taylor smiled at him, "Wanna dance?"
"I'm not that great at dancing."
"You seemed to be doing okay at Cotillion."
Ryan smiled, "Yeah and that reminds me. I never did get a chance to dance with you that night."
"No time like the present."
"She's a brave girl." Summer observed.
"What do you mean?"
"Let's just say that I was glad I wasn't wearing open-toed shoes for Cotillion."
Seth smiled, "Do you wanna dance?"
"And here I was thinking you were never going to ask."
Seth took her hand and spun her around as they made their way onto the dance floor.
"How long did it take you to get that move down Cohen?"
"Many years of arduous practice," Seth smiled.
--xxxx--
Marissa sniffled as she walked along the road towards her dad's. Her mom had some nerve saying she was an embarrassment. If anyone was embarrassing it was Julie. Chasing after Caleb Nichols like a bitch in heat while her dad floundered around.
"Hey. Marissa, right?"
"Who," she looked up to see the boy from the mall standing near her apartment complex. "What are you doing here?"
"My friends and I went caroling. I just dropped them off," He made a vague gesture to the complex. "Are you okay?"
"My mother thinks I'm an embarrassment and my so-called best friend has completely turned on me to hang out with people we made fun of for years. But other than that I'm just great."
"Sounds like a lousy Christmas."
"It is."
"How can I cheer you up?"
"Uhm, no offense, but why do you care?"
"I just hate to see anyone so miserable at Christmas."
Marissa smiled, "That's sweet. I'd invite you in but the last time my dad caught me with a guy wasn't very pretty and he'll be home soon."
Oliver nodded and handed her a card, "That's my phone number and email address. Give me a call if you want to do something."
"Sure." She looked at the card. "Wait, this is a hotel."
"Yeah, I live in the penthouse."
"That is so cool."
"Not so much. Makes it easy for my parents to ignore me."
"I know the feeling."
"Marissa?"
She turned and put up her index finger, "Be right there Dad." Then she turned to Oliver. "I better go."
"Goodnight Marissa. I'll be seeing you." Oliver turned and walked into the night.
Marissa looked at the card, "Yes you will."
Oliver climbed into his car and watched her go into the apartment in his rearview mirror.
"Be seeing you."
--xxx--
"Seth, stop it," Taylor smacked his hands away from the salad she was making. "And don't you even think about going in the fridge. You aren't allowed to have any of the cupcakes until after dinner."
"Taylor, you make one thing very well and you aren't going to let me have any of them? I'm starving."
"Go eat some of the appetizers your mom set out or something."
"You want me to play Russian Roulette with the snacks so you know which ones are safe. When did I become your guinea pig?"
"Since I got a better boyfriend." She peeked into the living room. "Is he still looking at it?"
"Yeah. You'd think he'd never seen a Chrismakkuh tree before."
"I think it's the stocking more than the tree. I still remember when you guys gave me mine," Taylor smiled. "That reminds me, I got Summer that perfume she liked last time we all went shopping. Do you think that's good enough?"
"Sure. Do you think..."
"The bracelet you got her is nice? Yes, just like the last seventeen times you asked."
"Still not gonna tell me what you got Ryan," Seth asked.
"No, because you cannot keep your mouth shut," Taylor told him. "Hey, did you get a stocking for Summer?"
"She didn't want one. Says she's got a great one at home with her dad that her mom made."
"Oh. Well we can't top that."
"Definitely not," Seth shook his head.
"This is done," Taylor indicated the salad. "When is Summer coming over?"
:Ding-dong:
"Now. I'm gonna go let her in," Seth headed for the front door while Taylor headed for the living room.
Ryan was sitting in a chair looking at the mantle. Taylor smiled and put her arms around his neck in a loose hold from behind him.
"Hi," she whispered. "You've been quieter than usual today. Everything okay?"
"Just opening my present." Taylor frowned at the still-wrapped boxes, the lack of paper on the floor. "That present." He pointed at the picture on the mantel that Kirsten had taken yesterday. The Cohens and Ryan were sitting in front of the fireplace with Taylor kneeling behind Sandy and Kirsten. "Best present I could ever have."
"So you're not thinking about your mom or Trey?"
Ryan sighed.
"If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay," Taylor said quietly, trailing the backs of her fingers over his cheek, smiling when Ryan reached up to hold the one on his chest.
"I'd kiss you, but the kids are watching and I don't want to hear Seth whine."
Taylor nodded and released her hold on him before she sat on the arm of Ryan's chair, her back to him. She swiveled around so her legs were across his lap and then moved so her butt rested in the space between his leg and the arm of the chair.
"Comfy?"
"Yep."
"Something wrong with the couch?" Sandy teased, walking through the room on his way to the kitchen.
"Stay out of the fridge, Sandy," Taylor called after him.
"What," Ryan looked at her.
"I can make one thing and I make them for dessert every year and every year, only about three of them actually make to the table."
"Sounds like cupcakes or cookies."
"Cupcakes, Summer, and they're delicious."
"What kind?"
"If he can answer that, he goes into the pool."
"She makes a different kind every year."
"So, where's your dad?"
"Emergency surgery," Summer said. "What about Veronica?"
"Um, I think Monte Carlo. She likes to gamble during the holidays." She felt Ryan tense and leaned her head against his. "Having a good Chrismakkuh?"
"Chrismawhat?"
"Well, see, since my Dad's Jewish, and Mom's a WASP; I kinda combined the Hanukkah and Christmas into one giant holiday."
"You're so weird, Cohen."
"Yeah but we love him anyway," Taylor smiled. "Is Caleb coming to dinner?"
"He has elected to have Christmas dinner with Mrs. Cooper and daughter."
"Don't you mean daughters?"
"No. Marissa is having dinner with her dad so the only daughter spending the holiday with Julie is Kaitlyn."
"Merry Chrismakkuh," Ryan smiled.
"I know you don't like Marissa, Chino, but isn't Caleb family?"
"Technically."
"Grandpa hates him."
"Why?"
"Beats me."
"Because Sandy bringing him home is something Rose would've done," Taylor said with a look in Seth's direction.
"I thought it was because his girlfriend was macking on me."
"There's that too. Caleb doesn't exactly like to be reminded of Rose a whole lot. My opinion? It's guilt from the fact that he bailed on her when she was dying."
"It's a popular opinion," Seth said. He may have been young but he remembered the hurt look on his grandmother's face when she realized Caleb wasn't coming.
"Hey, kids. What's going on?" The four teens exchanged looks at Kirsten's question.
"Just wondering what Taylor made this year."
"He's been whining to get a bite all day."
"I just chased Sandy away from the fridge for the second time since he came into the kitchen."
"Quiet," Taylor said. The five of them listened.
Kirsten rolled her eyes, "And this will be the third. Sandy! Out of the fridge. You can wait until after dinner."
"But, Kirsten..."
"I'm not making another batch, Sandy!" Taylor threatened. "Those twelve are all there are."
"That means if you already ate your two, Dad, you don't get any more."
"You are the Cupcake Nazi," Sandy frowned as he came into the living room. "Anyone up for a movie before dinner?"
"Sure."
"Sounds fun."
"Long as it's not anime."
"Or The Christmas Story," Taylor said.
"You don't want to watch Ralphie beg for a BB gun?"
"I offered Seth money one year to change the channel when he flipped to that movie."
"There's Over the Top."
"Daaad."
"Seriously, Sandy. Stallone? For Christmas?"
"Chrismakkuh, mother."
"I like Stallone."
"Ryan, sweetie, you are Stallone."
"Or at least Rambo."
"How about Stallone in something a little less bloody," Taylor suggested. "We can watch Oscar."
"I've never seen it. What it's about?"
"It's kind of a spoof of mob movies and Italians. Stallone plays a mobster named Angelo 'Snaps' Provolone."
"Sounds hilarious."
"You can watch your weird cartoons later, Cohen."
"They are not cartoons. They're anime, and it's a very respectable genre."
"I'll get the movie set up." Kirsten stood and headed for the kitchen.
"Kirsten."
"I was just going to check on the food."
"Not very believable, honey, considering the source."
"Come on, let's grab some good seats." Summer pulled Seth to his feet and dragged him along after her.
"You're going to have to get up."
"Must I?" Taylor wiggled and Ryan sucked in a sharp breath. "Can't you just carry me into the den?"
"That would be assuming I can walk, right now," he answered, his voice tight.
"Am I making it hard for you to get up?"
"Very funny," he growled at her.
"I guess I'm walking by myself."
"I'll be right there." He sighed as he watched her walk away, the view not exactly helping his ...situation.
--xxx--
"Mrs. Cohen? Dinner is ready."
"Thank you Rosa."
Everyone got up and went into the dining room.
"Smells amazing in here," Taylor said.
"I don't think my dining room has ever smelled this good," Summer added.
"Rosa doesn't share recipes, unfortunately."
"I don't think our maid can cook, anyway."
"It's a good thing ours can, or we would have all starved to death by now."
"That's not true, son; take-out would've saved us."
"You're all hilarious. One more word and I'm taking back all the presents I bought you."
"It's a magical season you guys. Leave Kirsten alone," Taylor defended.
"To the magic," Sandy raised his glass, everyone exchanged nervous looks before drinking and Kirsten bit her lip. "Magic of the season."
"Of course," Taylor breathed a sigh of relief. For a minute, she could've sworn...
She felt Ryan stiffen a little next to her and dropped her hand to hold his with a look out of the corner of her eye.
"To Taylor," Seth enthused.
"Sucking up won't get you a cupcake any sooner."
Seth frowned, "I am hurt that you think my reasons for complimenting you have anything to do with getting a treat."
"I call upon the memory of Chrismakkuh two years ago when you faked a sprained ankle to get one."
"She's got you there, son."
"Dad!"
"And last year? When you said that, as my boyfriend, you deserved an extra three?"
"Hey does that mean I get an extra three," Ryan asked.
"Well, you are a better kisser."
"I beg to differ," Summer said.
"How would you know? We never kissed."
"And neither did we," Seth said to Taylor.
"Wait a second, you and Summer 'dated' for almost a month and you never kissed her?"
"Yeah."
"That's weird."
"I couldn't go through with it."
"Every time he got close, he'd get this funky look on his face and make some lame excuse. I was starting to think you were gay or something."
"Well he's definitely not gay."
"It was just that, when I'd lean in, I'd see Seth, or Taylor," Ryan shrugged. "It kinda killed the mood."
Taylor giggled. "Well at least you haven't got that problem with me."
"No, definitely no weirdness once we got past the whole jealousy thing."
"You were jealous?"
"Yeah," Ryan admitted.
"Interesting as this conversation is, Can we redirect?"
"Yes, there are things about you kids that we, as parents, just don't want to know."
"Which is not to say that we don't care."
"Or that we don't want you to be safe."
Ryan shot a panicked look at Sandy, "You said just that one talk."
"Calm down, we're not revisiting the subject," Sandy assured. "I just want to make sure everyone's being safe in everything they do at all times."
Kirsten nodded."Absolutely. All we want is for you four to be safe."
"Day and, most especially, night." Sandy gave the kids a stern look. "I know what goes on at night around here."
"You do?" Seth looked at his mother, who was staring wide-eyed at her husband.
"Sure." Sandy took a sip of his drink. "Wild parties, drinking; stuff you guys had better not be involved in."
"Well, I can't speak for Summer but Seth and I don't go in for wild parties," Taylor said. "Ryan?"
"Gave it up when I changed addresses."
"Ditto, for when I changed types."
"When you traded up, you mean."
"Whatever, Cohen."
The rest of the meal was spent in light conversation and teasing. Dessert was served and everyone loved the white chocolate cupcakes Taylor had made this year. After dinner the teenagers escaped to the pool house while Sandy and Kirsten went to watch some more TV.
"He knows something."
"Who?"
"Your dad."
"I'm with Taylor. Your dad was really weird tonight."
"Sandy's always weird."
"He was weirder than normal."
"So what?"
"What?"
"So what if he does know?"
"No one's supposed to know outside my Watcher."
"We know."
"He can't know. He would've said something to Mom about it."
"Maybe he only has part of it. You know, pieces to the puzzle," Summer suggested.
"Maybe." Taylor was looking at Ryan. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking he wants Kirsten to be honest with him." He shrugged. "And that it's none of our business."
"They're my parents, man. Yours too, now. That makes it our business."
"This secret is a threat to their marriage, not their lives; so, no, not our business."
"I need Kirsten and Sandy to survive. I need for there to be one stable happy married couple in my unstable life," Taylor said. "My parents went bust."
"So did mine," Summer chimed in.
"And so did mine," Ryan said. "It'd be nice if my new parents could stay together."
"They'll work it out. They always do." Seth sighed. "Next thing you know, they'll be all over each other and scarring me for life; just like always."